A Comparison of Communication Using the Apple iPad and a Picture-based System

Figures & data

Table I.  Participant demographics.

Student	Age	Eligibility	Cognitive ability^a	Language achievement^b	Receptive vocabulary^c
Max	9	Autism Spectrum Disorder	74	40	1
Sam	11	Multiple Disabilities	44	54	1
Al	9	Intellectual Disability	55	54	1
Nick	8	Autism Spectrum Disorder	36	62	2
Len	8	Autism Spectrum Disorder	56	62	1

^aStandard score on the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised. ^bStandard score on the Test of Language Development − Intermediate 4. ^cScaled score on the Pictured Vocabulary Subtest of the Test of Language Development − Primary 4.

Figure 1.  The Pick-a-Word application.

Figure 2.  Results for Max, Sam, Al, Nick and Len.

Items Given Prior to Intervention

There is a need for an AAC system (picture system or SGD) for my students during snack.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
My students would benefit from an SGD for communication during snack time.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
I would be interested in using an iPad as an SGD for communication during snack time.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
I have had prior experience using an SGD for communication.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
Use the lines below to describe your past experiences with SGDs for communication, including iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch etc…

Items Given After Intervention

My students’ communication behaviors during snack increased when using the iPad.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
My students’ communication behaviors during snack were the same regardless of the communication tool (iPad or Picture-system).
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
The iPad was easier for me to use during snack than picture-system.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
The iPad was easier for my students to use during snack than the picture-system.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
My students were faster in their communication when using the iPad.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
My students liked using the iPad more than using the picture system.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
If I could choose a communication tool for my students, I would choose an iPad over the picture system.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
Using the iPad was beneficial for my students.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
Using the iPad was beneficial for my students.
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
I would recommend using the iPad to other teachers
True		Somewhat True	Somewhat False	False
Use the lines to below to describe your experience with using the iPad with students in your classroom.